City Lakes Real Estate Blog

December 30, 2023

Why Apple Should Buy Google — and the U.S. Gov’t. Should Let ‘Em

Creating the World’s First $2 Trillion Company With Apple Computer now officially the world’s most valuable company, it almost seems to be a foregone conclusion that — on the heels of its Samsung intellectual property triumph, and market momentum generally — the company is destined to be the world’s first-ever #$1 trillion (market cap) company....

August 1, 2022

Realtor Pet Peeve: Clients With Boundary Issues

“Would You Give to My Favorite Charity?” [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.] What would you think if, six months after you closed on your new home...

July 3, 2022

“What’s Past is Prologue”: The Presidency of Donald J. Trump

Still Batting 1,000% (When it Comes to Scr*wing People) [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.] “What’s past is prologue,” Shakespeare wrote. With respect to a certain Donald...

November 21, 2021

“The Dog That Didn’t Bark, Updated”; or, “Getting ‘Norfed” (Gronked? Borked? Grokked?)*

The Warning Detector That Didn’t Beep How do you know that a new technology is a “keeper?” When it’s conspicuous by its absence. Exhibit A: the warning detector that beeps in my car — but not my wife’s — as the driver backs up. Which explains how, driving her car and backing into a parking...

November 21, 2021

“Clinton’s Folly?”

U.S. Garage Sale Corporations that file for bankruptcy typically have their debt discharged — zeroing out their shareholders — and their new equity issued to erstwhile creditors. What’s the equivalent for sovereign nations? Put it this way: what would Alaska fetch on the open market? Seward’s Folly When Secretary of State William Seward orchestrated Alaska’s...

November 3, 2021

Election Day 2009

Nov. 3 2009 Ranked Choice Voting: Cure For What Ails Us? There, that wasn’t so hard. I just left my neighborhood polling station, having completed my first-ever “ranked choice” ballot. Also called “instant run-off voting” (“IRV”), ranked choice allows voters to prioritize their preferences for each office to be filled. The math can be...

June 10, 2021

In-bounds or Out? The Standard for Buyers’ Walk-Through Inspection

“Substantially the Condition,” Defined (Sort of) [Note to Readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.] “Buyer has the right to a walk-through review of the property prior to closing...

June 9, 2021

“What You Get For $200,000” Feature in The New York Times: A Minneapolis Condo Near Bde Maka Ska

Minneapolis condos for $200k normally don’t get national exposure — in this case, in The New York Times’ Real Estate section. So, kudos to Edina Realty’s Stephanie Chandler, for scoring the publicity for her listing at 3150 Excelsior Boulevard in Minneapolis, just west of Bde Maka Ska (formerly “Lake Calhoun”). The two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo is actually listed...

June 8, 2021

Paying Attention to What the Listing DOESN’T Say

MLS: “3rd Bedroom on Upper Level is Large & Has Lots of Storage” There’s certainly nothing wrong with an Upper Level Bedroom (pictured above) that’s large and has lots of storage. But, what’s notable — at least to me — is what’s omitted. Errors of (C)omission Namely, any mention of a Bathroom, or whether the...

June 7, 2021

Who Are Minneapolis’ Best Real Estate Agents?

What, (Almost) No Female Realtors?? [Note to readers: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.] Can an NFL franchise be a perennial Super Bowl winner, and yet not have any superstars?...